Locket

Oval locket, contained within a glazed, gold setting. The setting is executed in the shape of a snake, with the suspension ring formed by the snake's tail. The locket is decorated with the letters 'N' and 'B' executed in gold and surmounted by a coronet. A lock of fair hair is held in place by two seed pearls and is mounted against a pale blue semi-transparent glass ground through which a basket weave pattern can be seen. The hair belonged to Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805). The back of the locket is engraved with the words 'England expects every Man will do his duty. Lost to his Country but happy in his God'. The locket is attached to a long loop-in-loop chain.

Object Details

ID: JEW0201
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Locket
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Events: Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Trafalgar, 1805
Date made: circa 1806
People: Nelson, Horatio
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Royal United Service Institution Collection
Measurements: Overall: 25 mm x 10 mm